Neck pain is surprisingly common, and many people in Varsity Lakes, Burleigh, and across the Gold Coast will experience it at some point in their lives. Whether it comes on after a long day at a desk, following a bout of work around the house or yard, or without any obvious trigger, persistent neck discomfort can affect sleep, work, and daily function.

In this article, we explore what the latest evidence says about neck pain: It’s causes, contributing factors, and best-practice approaches to management. We’ll also discuss how osteopathy (as practiced at Gold Coast Osteo) can play a helpful role. The goal is to give you clear, science-backed information so you can make informed choices about your recovery.

What is Neck Pain & How Common Is It?

Anatomy in Brief

Your neck (cervical spine) includes vertebrae, intervertebral discs, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and soft tissues. Pain may be associated with one or more of these structures. Many cases of neck pain are categorised as non-specific neck pain, meaning there’s no clear structural pathology like a fracture, tumour, or infection.

Prevalence and Burden

Neck pain is one of the leading causes of disability around the globe. In 2017, the global prevalence of neck pain was over 3500 per 100,000 people. Studies also report that women tend to experience and report neck pain more than men, and prevalence increases with age until the 50-70-year mark.

So, neck pain is not ‘rare’ or uncommon. It’s a common musculoskeletal issue affecting many people.

What Contributes to Neck Pain? (Risk Factors and Triggers)

Neck pain is multifactorial. There’s rarely a single ‘cause’. Common contributing factors include:

Sustained postures: Long hours looking at computers, screens, workstations, and prolonged rest. (Caveat: I am not saying ‘poor posture’. It’s more about the time in a position, not so much the actual position)
Repetitive movements/overuse: Frequent turning, reaching, and lifting
Muscular stiffness: Sensitivity, repetitive use, aggravation of muscles in the neck and upper back, even the shoulder girdle.
Psychosocial factors: Stress, anxiety, low mood, lack of social support are associated with persistent neck pain.
Age and 'natural’ changes: Changes in disc heigh, facet (spinal) joints can contribute, though many people with imaging findings have no symptoms.
Trauma/sudden forces: ‘Whiplash’ and sudden impacts
Physical inactivity or deconditioning

It’s important to note: many people have changes on imaging (e.g., disc bulges, mild degeneration) and do not experience pain. Structural findings do not always equal symptom sources.

Evidence-Based Management of Neck Pain

Because neck pain is so varied, guidelines recommend a multimodal, individualised approach. Key evidence-based elements include:

1) Education & Reassurance

Helping patients understand that nonspecific neck pain is common, that imaging is rarely needed in uncomplicated cases, and that gradual activity and movement are safe can reduce fear and promote recovery.

2) Exercise & Movement

Emerging evidence supports tailored exercise (strengthening, stretching, motor control) for reducing pain and improving function in neck pain.

3) Manual Therapies & Hands-on Care

Manual therapies such as spinal manipulation, mobilisations, or soft tissue techniques can be used in conjunction with exercise and other strategies. An overview of systematic reviews found that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) can reduce pain and partially improve physical function in adults with acute neck pain. A more recent review found moderate evidence for osteopathic interventions in reducing pain in non-specific neck pain.

4) Ergonomics & Lifestyle Modifications

Adjusting workstations, optimising how you use devices (raising screens, reducing uncomfortable positions, improving sleep comfort, taking regular movement breaks, these can all reduce ongoing strain/stress.

5) Other Modalities as Adjuncts

Thermal therapy (heat/cold), modalities like massage, dry needling, or low-level laser therapy may provide short-term symptom relief as part of a broader plan, though evidence is more limited.

6) Monitor Red Flags

While most neck pain is benign, certain ‘red flags’ (fever, unexplained weight loss, neurological deficit, signs of spinal cord compression) require further evaluation and referral. Any novel, severe, or progressive symptoms should prompt medical review.

How Osteopathy Can Help (at Gold Coast Osteo)

At Gold Coast Osteo, our approach is evidence-led, patient-centred, and integrative. Here’s how osteopathy may assist:

What we do:

Thorough assessment (history, movement, posture, neurological screen)
Hands-on techniques (mobilisations, soft tissue massage, muscle energy technique, gentle manipulations)
Rehabilitation exercises and motor control training
Advice on ergonomics, load management, behavioural strategies
Ongoing reassessment and progression

What the evidence says:

A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis found that osteopathic manipulative interventions for non-specific neck pain have a moderate effect on reducing pain and improving function
The overview of systematic reviews (2022) indicates OMT is generally safe and beneficial for acute neck pain when combined with other strategies.
Note: Osteopathy is not a cure-all. Benefits are greatest when patients actively engage in exercises, lifestyle changes, and consistent self-care.

Overall, osteopathic care is best viewed as one component of a holistic neck pain plan, not a single ‘magic bullet’.

Neck Pain Gold Coast